Read Leviticus chapter 19, verse 18. It says: "Forget about the wrong things people do to you. Do not try to get even. Love your neighbor as you love yourself."
Jesus is a good example of this verse. He does not hold our wrong doings against us. He doesn't even remember our sins, if we confess and repent of them. He showed his love for us by going through all the awful things he had to do to take our sins to the cross and they were crucified there with him. I love the song "It is Finished"! Especially the Gaither's version. When Jesus's life was given there on that cross, he said "It is Finished". What is finished. The fight between evil and good. Good has won. Praise God.
Read Ephesians 1:3-14. In verse 5 we read "Because of His love, God had already decided to make us (you, Karen) His own children through Jesus Christ. That was what He wanted and what pleased him, and it brings praise to God because of His wonderful Grace."
We all want relationships in which we are accepted, valued, and wanted. We desperately long for this, but seldom experience the "real thing". Countless stories are written about this. Lots of our novels we read are just this sort of story. We experience it all our lives. We want to be accepted. We want to be in the inner circle. We read of men and women who are driven to succeed because they believe the lie that says their value is determined by the quality and level of their performance.
For the Christian, none of this futile struggle is necessary because we have been chosen by God. We belong, we matter, we have been accepted. No longer outcasts or second-class citizens, we are part of His family. This is what God wants you to know, Karen!
God offers you a family of friends and friends who are family - His church. When you trust in Him and believe in Him, He not only pardons you; He places you in His family of friends.
God heals His family through His family. In the church (a body of Christians) we use our gifts to love one another, honor one another, and carry each other's burdens. (Is Jesus calling you to become an active member of a church near you?)
Lord, be with Karen in these days before and after her knee surgery. Guide the doctors who will be working on her knee. Protect her from any harm with the anesthesia. Help her with the recovery and rehab time. Also, Lord, give her the right tools to be able to lose some of the weight she has gained since leaving Montana. Bring her peace in her heart. Lead her to some women who can be her good friends there. Lead her to a good church full of loving, welcoming people, who will be brothers and sisters.
Be with Chad as he goes overseas to France. And help Brea in her school and her work. Bless Rick. Help Rudy find a good job.
In Jesus' name, I pray - AMEN
3 comments:
Amen and Amen. I love you Karen. When is your knee surgery scheduled? I will be praying for you.
This is so good, Mom. I especially love this line - "we have been chosen by God. We belong, we matter, we have been accepted." Wow! What a gift! Sometimes I have a hard time looking at the big picture when the daily grind in draining me. So I will be reading and rereading this as a reminder that this life is merely a stepping stone to a greater life and I want to live this life for HIM! People are going to let me down - but God is always there with his great plan. I can trust Him to have my back.
Thank you for your wisdom, Mom!
Thank you, MOM! I don't know where time goes, but I am just now looking at this on April 6th. Sorry. It really helps me, mom. It is like God is talking right at me, because these are the very issues I am struggling with today. You'll never know how you have helped me, Mom. Very good stuff here to ponder, meditate on and accept into my heart.
Thank you, Sharon for loving me as I am! I am scheduled to have surgery on April 29th. Thanks for asking and thanks for praying.
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